WordPress Pricing (April 2026)
How much does WordPress cost?
WordPress offers a free plan with paid tiers starting at Free/mo.
All Plans
WordPress.com Premium
- Premium themes
- Google Analytics
- Advanced SEO
WordPress.com Business
- Plugins
- SFTP
- Automated backups
WordPress Pricing Breakdown
WordPress.org itself is completely free, but building a website involves several potential costs that vary based on your specific needs and ambitions. While the core software costs nothing, you'll need to budget for essential components like domain registration, web hosting, themes, and potentially premium plugins. Your total annual investment can range from as low as $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on your requirements.
For a basic WordPress website, expect the following approximate annual costs: Domain name ($10-$20), Shared hosting ($60-$120), Free theme (no cost), Basic plugins (free options available). This means you could launch a professional website for under $200 annually—a fraction of the cost of custom web development. More advanced setups with premium themes, specialized plugins, and managed hosting could increase costs to $500-$1000 per year.
WordPress.com offers managed hosting with tiered pricing options: Free plan (limited features), Personal plan ($4/month), Premium plan ($8/month), Business plan ($25/month), and Commerce plan ($45/month). Each tier unlocks progressively more features, with the Business and Commerce plans providing the most flexibility and professional capabilities.
When comparing WordPress to competitors like Wix or Squarespace, WordPress often provides more value. While those platforms charge monthly fees with built-in hosting, WordPress allows you to choose your hosting provider, potentially reducing costs and increasing performance. The ability to switch hosting providers without rebuilding your entire website is a significant long-term advantage.
Hidden costs to consider include potential premium plugin subscriptions, security tools, backup solutions, and potential developer assistance for complex customizations. While these aren't mandatory, they can enhance your website's functionality and security. Budget-conscious users can often find free alternatives, but serious businesses might invest $100-$300 annually in premium tools.
Feature Breakdown by Plan
| Feature | Self-hosted | WordPress.com Personal | WordPress.com Premium | WordPress.com Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full control | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unlimited plugins | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom themes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom domain | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Basic support | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No ads | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Premium themes | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Google Analytics | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced SEO | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugins | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| SFTP | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automated backups | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Team Cost Calculator
Estimated monthly costs based on team size (price per user × team members):
| Team Size | WordPress.com Personal | WordPress.com Premium | WordPress.com Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $20/mo | $40/mo | $125/mo |
| 10 users | $40/mo | $80/mo | $250/mo |
| 25 users | $100/mo | $200/mo | $625/mo |
| 50 users | $200/mo | $400/mo | $1,250/mo |
Is WordPress Worth It?
The free plan lets you test core functionality before committing.
Paid plans range from $4/mo (WordPress.com Personal) to $25/mo (WordPress.com Business). Most users pick the WordPress.com Business plan.
Best for: Blogs, Content sites, Developers. Keep in mind: requires maintenance.
WordPress Pros & Cons
- Largest ecosystem
- Highly flexible
- Free and open-source
- SEO friendly
- Huge community
- Requires maintenance
- Security concerns
- Learning curve
- Plugin conflicts